Pharrell Williams Video Interview

This looks to be a Much Music interview, Canada's MTV equivalent TV music show. Topics include Child Rebel Soldier (Kanye Lupe, Pharrell project), Pusha T going solo with G.O.O.D. Music and N*E*R*D's 'Nothing' album, among other things.

N*E*R*D's 'Nothing' on Star Trak/Interscope arrives November 2nd.

N.E.R.D. Perform At Murakami Exposition Versailles, France

It happened last week September 13th at the Murakami Exposition at the Chateau de Versailles in France, where N.E.R.D. held court with famed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami who was showing his wears at this exclusive engagement and this was the kick off party. Paris based act Uffie also played at the affair.

Photo link:
Rex Features

Game 'The R.E.D. Album' Sneak Preview By Complex Magazine

Track by track preview.

"Infared" (prod. by Cool & Dre)

The Compton rapper’s forays into name-dropping have recently been hit or miss, but over Cool & Dre’s 70s funk-jazz-influenced instrumental, the album’s intro is a major hit. Game drops attention-grabbing lines (“Will I ever go at Nas? Hell nah! / Will I ever go at Jay-Z? I don’t know”) and doesn’t waste a second spewing his fully automatic braggadocio. It’s an instant head-nodding banger for a kickoff.

"Ricky" (prod. by DJ Khalil)

As the title implies, it’s a reference to Morris Chestnut’s character in John Singleton’s debut film Boyz N The Hood. A saxophone intro trails up to the congo drums in the backdrop, and the track leads off as a cautionary tale about 'hood violence—but quickly veers off into Game sucking himself off about how he remains victorious in front of gun claps. Gunshot sound effects, paired with the chanted shout of “Ricky!” make this one memorable...for its repetitiveness.

"Good, Bad, Ugly" (prod. by Hit Boy)

Grimy keys and dark drums play the backdrop for a storytelling joint. The saga begins with the former drug dealer getting ambushed by several hostile guests with heaters, then segues to a scene where two detectives question the injured rapper. The Game skillfully flips the tone of his voice, and weaves an entertaining verse when he refuses to cooperate, instead spinning out a story that's different from what actually went down. Straight gangsta sh*t.

"Heavy Artillery" ft. Beanie Sigel and Rick Ross (prod. by Street Runner)

The three self-claimed gangsters flex gun talk, murder, and their own craziness. Game even compares himself to Marshall Mathers (“Eminem ain’t Dr. Dre’s only sick n***a").

"Diamonds" ft. Robin Thicke (prod. by Phonix)

The version we heard featured an up-and-coming talent named K-Young, though we were told that the infectious hook would be re-sung by Robin Thicke (for the record, we didn’t mind the version with K-Young on the reference).



"It Must Be Me" ft. Pharrell (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

Certified 2002 (?) club banger!!! We had no idea P had a Delorean.



"Ain’t No Doubt About It" ft. Justin Timberlake (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

Justified x In My Mind x Game sounding a little uncomfortable with the terrycloth-soft vibe of the track. Nothing much else to say. *shrug*

"Mother's Womb" ft. Nelly Furtado (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

The title's kind of gross, right? Doesn't sound so hot, either. Game waxes poetic about all the gangsta sh*t he's been up to since he's left his mother's womb. What better way to do that than have Nelly Furtado ride shotgun? FOH. Skateboard P brings those Neptunes key patterns that sound like a throwback to his early chart-toppers, which is both a good and bad thing. The mix we heard was rough, but Furtado's vocals sounded good.

"She'll Look Good To Me" (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

This one is all about bakin' pies with a college chick. But not for her culinary class. As long as they're of age, we always co-sign corrupting co-eds.

"When My N***a Come Home" ft. Snoop Dogg (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

Game heads to the strip club with a close friend fresh out the joint. Pharrell provides the soundtrack for the celebration with a mix of luscious synth waves and deep, hard-hitting drums. Snoop name-drops plenty of fellow Crips, but in that nice and smooth way that doesn't offend middle America to the point that they'll revoke sponsorships.

"Dead People" (prod. by Dr.Dre)

Dre laces Game with a beat that sounds like it was left off 50 Cent's The Massacre (in the same vein of "I'm Supposed To Die Tonight"), and Jayceon takes the opportunity to steal 50's style, even sounding like him on the hook (a stashed joint he wrote, maybe?). Granted, he writes from an interesting perspective—at one point he goes into the POV of a bullet like Nas' "I Gave You Power"—but it stills come off as an odd fantasy about murder.

"It Must Be Tough" ft. Pharrell (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

Even though this was clearly unmixed and still has some reference vocals on it, it's still one of the clear highlights of the album. Typical baller sh*t we've heard before, but Pharrell stunts on another level and absolutely dominates on the ad-libs and the hooks. There's synths galore and heavy 808s that build back and forth (from low volume to high), and Game delivers a solid third verse.

"Roll My Sh*t" ft. Snoop Dogg (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

Some real G-shit, straight up and down. Game and Snoop are clearly in their element on this one. Pharrell brings his best Dr. Dre impression by using light, wavy synths reminiscent of The Chronic.

"Lost Ones" ft. K-Young (prod. by Cool & Dre)

Bonus cut that focuses on really dark themes of death and the molestation of his sister by his father. Fooled you, right? You thought it was some diss to Jigga, right? (source)

Phil Ramone and Pharrell Williams: Keynote Session At The International MEIEA Conference

Phil Ramone and Pharrell Williams Keynote Session at the 2010 International MEIEA Conference hosted by the University of Miami and held in Coral Gables, Florida, on Friday March 26th, 2010.

Photos:
Phil Ramone and Pharrell Williams

Lupe Fiasco Turning In Finished 'Lasers' Album Into Atlantic Records Today!

via The LupE.N.D. blog

Last night on Green Lantern’s Invasion Radio, Lupe revealed that he’s handing over his third album, Lasers to Atlantic Records today.

Besides that he also said that Pharrell hit him up about finishing the CRS project, 4 songs are done so far!

Listen to some of the interview here:
Lupe Fiasco Invasion Radio interview

Pharrell Williams: Keynote Speech At The 2010 MIDEM Music Conference Cannes, France

Pharrell Williams at MIDEM 2010 keynote speech and interview with Conerstone President Rob Stone in Cannes, France.

Game Billboard Magazine Interview

Billboard: What does the album title mean?

Game: It was a title Pharrell and I came up with. It was like where I am at in my career. My last album felt like it might've been my last album, but it turned out not to be. So, this album is the rededication -- to myself and to what I care about, like my friends, my family, my city, my hood, my genre and rap.

Billboard: How did you link up with Williams for this album?

Game: We worked together one day, and that one day turned to 30 days, and those 30 days turned to 60, and then those 60 developed into a friendship. We both prejudged each other, but once we met, we realized although we come from different places and different situations, we were kind of the same in different aspects of life. Now, our relationship is bigger than music. We have life conversations about bettering ourselves, and we've become good friends. We realized that aside from being musicians, we are brothers in this thing we call hip-hop.

Billboard: Dr. Dre produced two tracks for this album so far. How does it feel to work with him again?

Game: Dre and I have always been on the same team, I've just been too wild for him at times. He's older and legendary and he's been through enough drama in his career and doesn't have to jump into my drama. So, I understood that and why he pulled back.

Billboard: You recently got the words "Star Trak," the name of Williams' label, tattooed on your arm. Are you signed to him now?

Game: No. I'm Black Wall Street all day, but considering all he's done for me -- he saved my career -- I'm riding for Star Trak too. I hold dear anything that helps elevate me and my life and my career and helps me take care of my family. I'll be in debt to him forever for what he's done for me. I appreciate him and I would never go to such extremes as to get a tattoo if it didn't deserve it.

Billboard: 50 Cent, your former label president and arch enemy, released an album recently that sold only 160,000 copies in its opening week. What are your thoughts on that?

Game: It didn't do the numbers he expected, but he should try harder next time. Some sell a million, others do 50. For him to do everything he's done and start beef with other rappers like Rick Ross and draw media attention to himself in that way but only sell 10 more thousand than Ross means people aren't buying into the bulls--t anymore.

Billboard: You're still wrapping up this album. Are there any surprises you've got up your sleeve?

Game: I'm trying to get (Interscope co-founder and chairman) Jimmy Iovine to throw me in the studio with Lady Gaga. She's a rebel, and I go against the grain every day, so, if it happens, it'll be monumental for the state of music. (source)

Game & Pharrell Williams In LA Studio Working On 'The R.E.D. Album'

Game - 'The R.E.D. Album' on Black Wall Street/Interscope coming February 2010.

Snoop 'Malice N Wonderland' & Travis Barker Co. Party In Hollywood Recap

via Ballerstatus

In celebration of two milestones -- 10 years in clothing biz and 10 albums deep in the game -- Travis Barker, his Famous Stars & Straps brand and rapper Snoop Dogg rocked Los Angeles on Tuesday (December 8) with a mega-party where the West Coast was in full effect.

Celebrities like DJ Quik, the Lakers' Lamar Odom, Rob Dyrdek, Tila Tequila, Pharrell, The Game, Joe Budden, and Mister Cartoon among others, came through to support the huge achievement.

Everyone finally made their way into the event, had some drinks and mingled. Then, late in the evening, Snoop (drapped in a long gray trench coat) and Travis (Barker) (rocking a sleeveless Famous tee) finally made their way to the stage to treat the crowd to a medley of songs. When the DJ announced Snoop's arrival, he hopped on stage immediately with his now-classic "The Next Episode" with Barker right on que providing the drums.

Shortly after, the rapper called out for singer Butch Cassidy. "How many people in the house got love for my n**** Nate Dogg? You know Butch Cassidy is his first cousin, so we gonna do a little song from Nate Dogg. It go a little something like this." The beat dropped for Snoop's classic "Ain't No Fun" off his debut, Doggystyle, and the crowd went wild. Cassidy jumped right into the first verse, originally sung by Nate who wasn't in attendence.

As the performance continued, Snoop and Travis brought out a slew of their collaborators and other West Coast acts. At one point, Pharrell (of the Neptunes) graced the stage to assist Snoop with his hits, "Beautiful" and "Drop It Like It's Hot." Later, Game checked it, breaking right into his collaboration with Barker on "Dope Boys," before spitting an off the dome freestyle.

DJ Quik performed "Tonite," while Kurupt dropped a freestyle or two, in addition to rocking verses from several Snoop gems.

If you were in the crowd, you probably also noticed newcomers like Problem, Nipsey Hussle, Tyga, and plenty of others on stage just vibing, lending a verse here and there, and laughing alongside big Snoop Dogg.

PHOTOS:
Getty Images
Film Magic
Wire Image
WENN Photo

Game Video Interview With DubCNN

DubCNN caption:
When it comes to mainstream West Coast hip-hop in the last 5 or so years, Game is the number one representative for the West Coast. As part of Dubcnn I was privileged to sit in on a studio session with Game and Pharrell as they worked on Game's "RED Album", scheduled to drop in February of 2010. Game also talked to us about his changed outlook, The Black Wall Street and label boss Jimmy Iovine.

Game - 'The Red Album' on Interscope/Geffen/Black Wall Street in stores February 16, 2010.

N.E.R.D. Live In Miami, FL

Fan shot footage, semi good quality.







N.E.R.D. performed live at the Kia Soul Collective at Aware in Miami Beach, FL Sunday October 4.

Photos:
Star Traks Photos
Rex Features

(video courtesy of ItsOnBert)

Bathing Ape London Grand Opening Party Photos Posted Online

The Bathing Ape London Grand Opening Party took place at 24 Nightclub in London's Soho district near Oxford Circus on Friday July 17. Guests included super model Jasmine Leonard, singer Remi Nicole, DJ Mark Ronson and Pharrell Williams. Judging by the pictures, Bathing Ape's Nigo didn't make the event.

Check out the party photos here:
Startraks Photo
Rex Features
Film Magic

Bathing Ape London Store Preview Here:
Hypebeast

Bathing Ape London officially opened Saturday July 18.